Reading Buddies

2Times in 1 Week

Car Wash

Camping

Friday morning, Dan and I had a game plan. My goal was to check the girls out of school by 1:30. Dan did our grocery shopping and bought last minute camping supplies (like the tent :p since MWR messed us up) while I ran a few errands I needed to do. After getting Caden from school, I started pulling out what we would need. I had a pretty detailed list so it wasn't too hard.

We checked the girls out of school about 2 (I was close) and hit the road. We camped at Lum's Pond which is a state park in Delware about an hour from our house. We really wanted to camp at Cape Henlopen, but they didn't have any openings. On Sunday, we learned they were full because of a triathlon Sunday morning. We made it to our campsite about 4 and unpacked the car. It took about 30 minutes for me and Dan to set up the tent while the kids collected sticks and acorns and kicked around the soccer ball. One thing we learned on this trip is that we need an inverter for the car. My car pump that I thought would have no problem blowing up my air mattress took about 2 hours on and off (so it wouldn't over-heat). Lesson learned, but I didn't have to sleep on the ground at least. That would have been bad.

The kids really enjoyed the bugs. They found a huge horned beetle right away and played with him for awhile until he got squished (sorry Beetle). Allie loved the stink bugs that were everywhere!! She was carrying them around in her pockets. I have never seen so many stink bugs in my life. The outside of our tent was covered. I'm still finding them in the car (and we totally cleaned and detailed it yesterday).

We spent a lot of time cooking and eating while camping - which I think is what you are supposed to do. We made pizzas over the campfire for dinner the first night. We had eggs, bacon and pancakes for breakfast the second day and had sandwiches the rest of the time. The highlight of the camping trip for everyone was roasting marshmallow and making smores! I enjoyed the roaring campfires!

We did pretty well Friday night. It was a little cool in the morning, but not cold. We did some hiking around the pond which after googling we learned is a subjective term. It seemed more like a lake to us. The kids collected bags of leaves to make some leaf art projects. It drizzled on us some in the morning. After the walk, we climbed in our 16x7 (loved it) tent and played games (Uno and Bendominoes). The afternoon cleared off, but it was kind of windy.

By the time we went to bed Saturday night, it was getting cooler. The temperature continued to drop and when we got up at 7, the car was registering 41. It wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't had to get up out of my sleeping bag repeatedly during the night for bathroom breaks. Dan slept all night. I brought a bucket and made the kids sit on it because there was no way I was walking to the bath house in the middle of the night. Once we got up, we gave the kids snacks and then packed up quickly. We found a McDonald's a few miles down the road and had a nice, warm breakfast indoors!

I wasn't sure we were going to make it to Cape Henlopen with the bickering that was going on in the back of the van. I hate it when we are having such a good time and the kids start the sniping. It always ruins it. They finally stopped so we didn't have to turn around and head home. The beach was beautiful. I was glad to turn the kids loose. It was cool and windy so no getting feet in the water. We dug a big hole and played with the frisbee. We spent about 3 hours playing before packing up and heading home.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend! It was nice to be unplugged from the TV, the internet and video games. I'm looking forward to warm weather in the spring so we can go again.

Shopping with a Friend

Toe Socks

A'Camping We Did Go

We went camping this weekend and had the best time. I don't know why we've never ventured into the camping world before. Well, yes, I do - I was a girly-girl, but since we've had children, I can control my girly tendencies. I'm good with a ball cap and no make-up. Anyway...We spent 2 nights camping at Lum's Pond in Delaware and then drove to Cape Henlopen to play on the beach on Sunday. We ate too much junk food and nearly froze our tushes off Saturday night (41 degrees was not in the forecast). I have 200+ pictures and a ton of details to share, but not enough time for now. Check back later in the week to hear about stink bugs, camp fires, marshmallows, rain and s'mores!

Cape Henlopen, DE

Lum's Pond, DE

S'mores

Playground Pictures

Our new library playground

Same Ole Same Ole

I keep trying to think of something clever or cute to write about, but nothing is popping into my pea brain. Things are pretty much the same. Nothing exciting is going on. We've had beautiful weather with blue skies, warm days and cool evenings. Today has turned windy, but at least it's not cold and windy yet. I am not ready for winter (although I've been busy on scarves and everyone has a new one). We've been watching the weather closely to decide if we want to go camping this weekend or not. There's a 30% chance of rain (down from 40%). We are leaning towards going. I might have lots to write about next week ; ).

School is going well for the kids. Jaelyn seems to be really enjoying it. She's had a few issues with talking, but other than that is getting her work done. She has spelling tests for the first time this year and has made 100 on every one. Her reading is improving steadily. We are reading Meet Kaya in the American Girls' Series. Math is her hardest subject. Behavior wise, she's up and down. I tried a new allergy medicine with her and that really did not work well. I gave it to her for 3 days and it took a good week of tantrums before it was out of her system. The 6 donut holes she ate at her Brownie meeting took 2 days of tantrums to get out. Her body is too sensitive. Friendwise, Jaelyn has really latched on to a little girl named, Allison. They have become best buds. We've had 2 playdates with her family. She hasn't bonded with a friend like this since Olivia at MDO from Olive when she was 4.

Allie isn't enjoying school as much as last year. I think she's having to work more and play less. She also sees less of her friend Alex. She seems to like her teacher and brings home green lights most days. We've had one instance of hair cutting recently which hasn't happened since the summer we moved here. I don't know what Allie was thinking, but she now has a lock on top of her head that's about an inch long and sticking out. Crazy girl.

Caden has settled into his school routine. He still tells me he doesn't want to go. Today, after he told me that, he said if he could have gummies after school, he'd probably do better. My little boy knows how to wrap me around his finger, doesn't he? He hasn't cried since that first day of school. We've been staying after to play on the playground and we've had a few lunch dates at play areas with his school friends. I've enjoyed visiting with the moms as much as he's enjoyed playing. I feel like "I'm" finally getting really settled here with a network of friends. Moving is going to be tough on all of us.

Fleece Scarf

Target Practice

Rock a Bye Caden

Caden was off today. I don't know what the problem is. He pitched a huge tantrum before lunch which was so out of character. I could barely get him into his carseat and then he refused to get out. He was unusually whiney this evening and cried when it was bedtime. I'm not rocking Jaelyn every night anymore (some nights Dan rubs her back while she's in bed) so I offered to rock him. I don't know when was the last time I rocked Caden and I haven't rocked him consistantly since he gave up his night time bottle at a year. He's still little enough to curl up in my lap, unlike Jaelyn who's all arms and legs and way too big (but we manage). I loved rocking him as he snuggled into me. I learned something important tonight too. Caden has stopped sucking his thumb to go to sleep. I'd say it's a recent change. I know he hasn't sucked his thumb in the day in the last few months, but I haven't been paying attention at night. Could it be??? Just shy of 5 years old and my big boy is finally being a big boy?

300 Pieces Done - 250 to Go

It Was Inevitable

The stomach virus started with Allie a few weeks ago throwing up. She missed one day of school. A week later, Jaelyn had 2 bouts of diarrhea and she was done in a few hours. She did complain of a stomach ache for days before and after her little bout. When Caden got it, he had the throwing up part. He laid on the living room floor all day one day with his trash can. Well...it was inevitable. Wednesday evening, I was feeling kind of queasy. I just thought it was the pattern of the hat I had started knitting. I was focusing a little too hard on the tiny stitches. I woke up at midnight and barely made it to the bathroom. As my mom will tell you, when I get something, I get it bad and it's always going to involve throwing up. It was bad. Sweet Danny sat on the edge of the tub with me while I alternated between throwing up and moaning in a heap on the floor. TMI yet??? I didn't even have to call him. He got up all on his own. He took Thursday day and Friday morning off and took care of the kids. He even took the girls to their first Brownie meeting Thursday night. I was in bed all day Thursday and slept on the couch most of the day Friday.

Today, I could tell Dan had had enough with playing Mommy. I've lost 4 pounds and was a little light headed from hardly eating for 2 days, but today I mostly reclaimed the roll of Mommy, cook, maid, laundry fairy, referee, etc. because he was done. Too bad I have to be sick to have 2 days off. I sure hope he doesn't get sick next. That won't be any fun at all!

Teaching a New Skill - Friendship Bracelets

Stomach Virus

Not fun!

Patches